Box
Object number2018.129.1
Retailer
The Surrey
(1953 - 1981)
Date1955-1981
OriginGrand Rapids, MI
OriginPittsburgh, PA
MediumPaperboard; Ink; Metal
Credit LineGift of Louise P. Meyer
DescriptionRectangular clamshell paperboard retail box. Top is brown on the viewer's right half with black printed retailer text above silhouette graphic of horse-drawn carriage; viewer's left half has tan background with black and brown linear design. Underside is same as top but with opposite arrangement of the left and right half designs. Sides have continued designs from the top and underside. Rear side has black paperboard handle. Interior is gray with brown acid burn stains. Front has paperboard tab closure. Rear side has black paperboard handle.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (Closed): 2.25 x 13.188 x 11.375 in. (5.7 x 33.5 x 28.9 cm)Length x Width x Depth (Open): 23.75 x 13.25 x 2.125 in. (60.3 x 33.7 x 5.4 cm)
InscriptionsTop of box has black printed text on the viewer's right half "Surrey / 519 GRANT ST. / PITTSBURGH, PA. / 5419 WALNUT ST. / PITTSBURGH, PA."; underside has the same text on the viewer's left half.
MarksExterior of box bottom's proper left side wall has off-white imprinted text "LOCK-TITE / PATENT 1834 / AMERICAN BOX BOARD CO. / GRAND RAPIDS, MICH."
Historical NotesPart of a collection of women’s clothing that possibly belonged to donor Louise P. Meyer’s “Aunt Bessie,” her mother’s sister. Most items date from c. 1925 to c. 1935 and belonged to the aunt. She was tall and many of the pieces were made for her and reflect her love of fashion. The box is from The Surrey, another woman’s clothing store at 519 Grant Street in the Union Trust building. Surrey was started by Walter Blattner, a German immigrant who came to the States when he was 15. After opening the downtown location in 1953, he opened a second location on Walnut Street in Shadyside in 1955. In 1964, he moved the downtown location to Oliver Avenue and Liberty Avenue in the former Jonasson’s Building, but still kept a small store on Grant Street. The downtown location was more upscale than the Shadyside one. When he opened the Shadyside location in the mid-1950s the neighborhood was known more for art boutiques and college bars, but not chic clothing so the store was more of a gamble. He then bought or built many buildings and complexes on Walnut Street. The downtown store closed in 1981. Blattner passed away in 1989.
Related person
Walter Blattner
(died 1989)
On View
Not on view
Stella Marrs
